National 4 Biology Revision: Cell Biology, Respiration, Photosynthesis, and Biological Procedures

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell division, genetics, cellular respiration, photosynthesis limiting factors, industrial microbiology, and controversial biological procedures.

Cell division

The process essential for organisms to grow and repair damaged cells, such as cuts and broken bones, where a parent cell divides into two identical cells.

Chromosomes

Structures located in the nucleus that carry genes and ensure each new cell contains the same number after cell division.

Cancer

A condition characterized as an example of uncontrolled cell division.

Genes

Structures located on chromosomes in the nucleus, made of DNA, that carry the instructions to make protein and are passed from parents to offspring.

DNA

The unique substance that genes are made of, which carries the instructions to make protein and is passed from parents to offspring.

Respiration

The cellular process that releases energy in cells, controlled by enzymes and affected by temperature.

Aerobic respiration

Respiration that takes place when oxygen is present, converting glucose into water and carbon dioxide while releasing a large amount of energy.

Anaerobic respiration

Respiration that takes place when oxygen is absent, releasing a small amount of energy to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide in plant and yeast cells, or lactic acid in animal cells.

Enzymes

Biological molecules that control the process of respiration, which is affected by temperature.

Microorganisms

Organisms including bacteria and fungi that grow rapidly and can be used to produce useful products, food sources like Quorn and Marmite, and biofuels.

Yeast

A fungus used in the brewing industry and in the production of biofuels and Gasahol.

Penicillium

A fungus used in industry to produce the antibiotic penicillin.

Photosynthesis

The process used by plants to convert sunlight into food.

Limiting factors

The three environmental factors (carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity, and temperature) that control the rate of photosynthesis, causing it to be slow if any are in short supply.

Immunisation

A procedure used to protect humans from common diseases such as measles, mumps, and smallpox, though viewed by some as unsafe.

Natural selection

The scientific theory explaining how all organisms were created on Earth without relying on religion or the Book of Genesis.

Stem cells

Human cells that can be manipulated to grow replacement skin and heart tissue, considered controversial because an embryo cell must be destroyed.

Clone

An identical copy of a single organism produced to improve agricultural yield in mammalian species, such as increasing piglet litter size.